Why Ferrero’s hunger for biscuits led to Burton’s buy
Ferrero has built a strong player of scale to compete in UK biscuits.
M&A Watch
Kerry Group’s dairy plans curdle – but probably only for now
A possible deal for Kerry Group's dairy assets has been put on ice but it's unlikely to be a complete souring of the Irish company's moves away from consumer foods.
Leerdammer deal shows M&A strategies can be as different as chalk and cheese
One of western Europe's most prominent brands of cheese, Leerdammer, is set to change hands. Dean Best looks at the possible rationales buyer and seller may have for the deal.
Has Mondelez boosted health of snacks portfolio with Grenade?
Andy Coyne asks what Mondelez International's purchase of UK sports-nutrition business Grenade tells us about its strategic thinking and consumer trends.
Hormel goes nuts for new asset Planters
Hormel Foods has bought Kraft Heinz's Planters snacks arm. Paying more than $3bn for the assets, it's the largest deal in upbeat Hormel's history. Market reaction was more muted.
Kerry’s consumer exit may need more than one deal
Speculation has continued about Kerry Group's future in consumer foods. With the Irish company's consumer assets spread across categories, an exit may take multiple transactions. In the week before Christmas…
How could food industry M&A take shape in 2021?
Dean Best speaks to four experienced M&A advisers about the factors they expect to affect deal-making in the packaged-food industry in 2021. Shaun Browne, Houlihan Lokey I'm seeing a period of M&A…
What’s PAI Partners’ game plan in buying two UK food groups at once?
Andy Coyne takes a closer look at PAI Partners' acquisition of UK chilled food businesses Addo Food Group and Winterbotham Darby and asks sector experts to interpret the move. PAI Partners' simultaneous transactions…
Data may trump D2C debate as Nestle swoops for Freshly
Nestle has paid a healthy multiple for a firm that, while growing rapidly, may remain a leader in a niche. But it's the consumer data on offer that could give…
Why might have Ferrero reached into tin for Fox’s Biscuits?
In buying a clutch of Fox's Biscuits assets from UK manufacturer 2 Sisters Food Group, Ferrero has bought a tired brand in a mature category. The Italian giant believes in…
Aryzta’s options in wake of investor battle
Aryzta's two-largest investors came up trumps on Wednesday, with the nomination of candidates to the bakery giant's board, including their pick for chairman. But what next for the embattled business,…
